LL Cool J sees more music projects in his future

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Rapper-actor LL Cool J finished his last album under a contract with Def Jam Records that spanned two decades, but told Reuters it was not likely to be his final music project.

"I have no reason to stop making music," he said in an interview.

The hip-hop icon made headlines for criticizing Def Jam Records, claiming it did not do enough to promote artists. But he said his relations with the label are better now.

Def Jam, which released LL Cool J's first album in 1985, is helping him build a distribution network, Boomdizzle.com, which showcases talent from new artists.

"We have a great relationship and there's no telling what will happen moving forward," LL Cool J said. "There's no negative energy there now; everybody feels positive, we all feel connected."

His latest album, "Exit 13," is to be released soon.

The rapper made it clear he has a host of projects to keep him busy, including TV shows and promoting a new clothing line under his own name at U.S. retailer Sears.

While some rappers, like Sean "Diddy" Combs, have endorsed pricey fashion lines or created their own, LL Cool J said he was happier working with Sears on a line of clothes that are more affordable.

"It feels really good in this economic climate for me as not only an artist, but as a businessman to be able to present something to America that I know will make things a little easier for people," he added.

He has included his wife and four children in the print advertisements for the clothing line "to show how committed I was and how much I believe in the clothes," LL Cool J said.